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MONARCHS DROP FALCONS

by
Staff Writer
/ Los Angeles Kings

MANCHESTER, NH – Goaltender Jonathan Quick made 22 saves allowing only one goal as the Manchester Monarchs are 3-1 victors over the Springfield Falcons on Wednesday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena in front of 5,260 fans.

Manchester (28-28-4-4) is in fifth place in the Atlantic Division with 64 points. Springfield (29-25-5-5) is in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with 68 points.

Manchester made it final on a power play goal at 14:15 of the second period. Left wing Teddy Purcell danced with the puck in the left circle and found center Brian Boyle screening netminder Jeff Deslauriers. Boyle received the puck and tried to force a backhander past the goaltender. Deslauriers made the save with his legs but coughed up a rebound that Boyle was able to punch in for his 23rd of the campaign.

Right wing Lauri Tukonen initiated the scoring at 2:50 of the second period. Left wing Paul Crosty dug the puck out near the left boards and found Tukonen skating toward the slot. With no one standing between him and Deslauriers, he ripped a shot that made it to the back of the net. Center David Meckler earned the secondary assist on the play.

Tallying his first goal since returning from the Los Angeles Kings on February 26, Purcell collected his 17th goal of the season at 14:16 in the third frame. Purcell and center Marc-Andre Cliche skated parallel into the Falcons' zone. Cliche attracted two defenders and gave the puck to a wide open Purcell on his left. The right wing buried the puck in the cage with the second assist going to center Brady Murray.

Ruining Quick's shutout bid, the Falcons got on the board at 17:15 of the third period. Left wing Grant Potulny found himself against the left side boards when a streaking left wing Viacheslav Trukhno caught his eye. The puck glided through the crease and over to the left of Quick where Trukhno saw the open net and slammed the biscuit into the basket. Left wing Rob Schremp assisted on the Falcons' lone goal.